LOW carbohydrate regimes like the Atkins diet could lead to mood swings and depression and leave slimmers feeling like "an emotional zombie", researchers have claimed.

The controversial high-protein, low-carb Atkins diet has prompted criticism from many doctors who fear it could increase the risk of long-term health problems such as kidney damage, high cholesterol and diabetes.

More research in America has now suggested it could also affect mental health, leaving dieters feeling grumpy, tired, apathetic and restless.

Dr Judith Wurtman and her colleagues, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (Mit) clinical research centre, found that when you stop eating carbohydrates, your brain stops regulating serotonin.

This chemical elevates mood and suppresses appetite and eating carbohydrates stimulates its production.